October 26th, 2018...

This from newsday.com...

What's scarier than a toddler with a sugar high? How about the amount of waste that is produced during the holiday season?

According to the National Retail Federation's Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, more consumers plan to celebrate the holiday this year than last (64.5% vs. 58.7%). But celebrating Halloween doesn't have to break the bank or trash the planet.

So we present the Green Living Newsletter's Top 10 Ways to Green Your Halloween:

1. Swap costumes. Host a get-together with other parents and trade costumes and accessories your kids have outgrown.

2. Replace traditional paper party invitations with online invites.

3. Make your own costumes by reusing items found around the home, at local thrift stores, or at yard sales.

4. Walk the streets of your neighborhood, don't drive! The exercise is heart-healthy and eco-friendly.

5. Avoid plastic trick-or-treat bags. Instead, decorate an old pillowcase, tote bag, or canvas shopping bag.

6. Treat the kids to organic and fair-trade goodies.

7. Shop for locally grown holiday treats and decorate with apples, pumpkins and gourds.

8. Find alternatives to candy treats. Try soy crayons or packets of seeds that can be planted in the spring.

9. Fill your flashlight with rechargeable batteries instead of conventional ones.

10. Host a pumpkin pie bakeoff -- a great way to use the post-halloween pumpkins.

Happy Haunting!

Mark Harvey